Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows)

No longer available at zZounds
This is a carousel with one large image and a track of thumbnails on the left side. Select any of the thumbnail buttons to change the main image. You may also use the left and right arrow keys to navigate between images.
Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Main
Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Analog Classics
Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Box
Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Main Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Analog Classics Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Flexi DSP Accelerator Card (Macintosh and Windows), Box
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Get four times the processing power of other UAD cards, and give your mixes infinite plug-in potential with the UAD-2 Quad Flexi package.

The UAD-2 Quad Flexi is Universal Audio's most powerful and flexible processing package, offering full access to award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins on Mac or PC -- plus a $500 plug-in voucher to build your own personalized bundle. This DSP accelerator package includes several of Universal Audio's most popular "analog classic" plug-ins -- the LA-2A and 1176 Compressors/Limiters, and the Pultec EQP-1A -- for rich, vintage sound quality right out of the box. Thanks to its PCIe card with four SHARC processors, the UAD-2 Quad provides four times the processing boost of the UAD-2 Solo, allowing for the largest professional mixes. Better still, it gives users full access to the UAD Powered Plug-Ins library, including some of the best-reviewed plug-ins of all time.

Specifically, the UAD-2 Quad Flexi provides access to popular UAD plug-in titles from Manley, Empirical Labs, Neve, Roland, Boss, EMT, Fairchild, Harrison, Helios, Little Labs, Pultec, SPL, Teletronix and more (sold separately). Whether you use Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Digital Performer or Pro Tools, these UAD-2 plug-ins can inject the character and quality of classic hardware into your mixes, while freeing up your computer's internal processor for other mixing duties.

Mac- and Windows-compatible, with support for VST, Audio Units and RTAS, the UAD-2 Quad Flexi is easy to use. Just install the software, install the card, and start mixing.

Developed by the industry's finest engineering team, and backed by frequent new software… read more and plug-in releases, the UAD-2 is the processing platform of choice for many of the world's top musicians, producers and engineers.

Features

- Flagship quad-processor DSP Accelerator Card for UAD Powered Plug-Ins on Mac or PC
- Includes "Analog Classics" plug-in bundle, featuring LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN/SE Classic Limiting Amplifiers, Pultec EQP-1A and Realverb Pro plug-ins
- Access the complete UAD Powered Plug-Ins library, including: Manley, Empirical Labs, Neve, Roland, Boss, EMT, Fairchild, Harrison, Helios, Little Labs, Pultec, SPL, Teletronix and more (sold separately)
- Includes $500 voucher for plug-in purchases via UA's Online Store
- Run complex, professional mix processing in Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Digital Performer and more -- without taxing host computer CPU
- Free UAD software upgrades, plus access to more plug-ins at UA's Online Store
- High-bandwidth PCIe card w/ (4) Analog Devices SHARC floating-point processors
- VST, AU, RTAS support; Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard and Windows XP/Vista/7 compatible
- Use up to 4 UAD-2(s) in one system; can be combined with UAD-1 cards
1-year Limited Warranty read less

Specifications
High-bandwidth x1 PCI Express (PCIe) card (can be used in x1/x4/x8 and x16 slots, PCIe 2.0 compatible)

Form Factor:
- UAD-2 Solo Low-Profile, Half-Height, Short PCIe card designed to fit modern small form factor systems
- UAD-2 Duo/Quad Full-Height, Short PCIe card for easy installation even in compact PC cases

1, 2 or 4 Analog Devices SHARC 21369 floating-point processors

2.5X(Solo), 5X(Duo), 10X(Quad) the power of UAD-1*
- *UAD-2 individual plug-in instances per DSP chip will vary based on the plug-in combination selected with the average session being around 2.5x

World's best plug-in library with premier titles from Neve(r), Roland(r), Moog(r), SPL(r), Pultec, and more...

Multi-card support for up to 8 cards - mix and match up to 4 UAD-2's and 4 UAD-1/1e/Xpanders in one system/group

Cross-Platform for Mac OS X Tiger(10.4), Leopard(10.5) and Windows XP/x64, Vista32/64

VST and AU Support
- NOTE: RTAS is NOT supported in Version 5.0 software. RTAS support will be available in a future software update

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz sample rate support

Cutting edge drivers - optimized for modern multi-thread and multi-processor architectures

Real-time and faster than real-time processing for mix bounces (unlike some other DSP solutions)

High-speed memory bus for running reverb/delay type effects (unlike some other DSP solutions)

LiveTrack(TM) (Low-Latency Mode) allows UAD-2 plug-ins to behave just like host plug-ins with no additional latency added* - now you can use UAD-2 plug-ins for monitoring, tracking and instrument processing
- Only works on select hosts. See the compatibility page for more details.

SessionMap(TM) bi-directional UAD-1<>UAD-2 session compatibility* (via ID sharing) and in session multi-card DSP management - use your UAD-1 alongside your UAD-2, or work with other collaborators using UAD
- *Session recall is limited to availability of plug-in authorizations and available hardware
- *Nigel has been discontinued for UAD-2
- *As of v5.0 the following Powered Plug-Ins are not yet available for UAD-2:
-- Roland RE-201
-- Precision Maximizer
-- Precision De-Esser
-- Precision Buss Compressor
-- Precision Enhancer kHz
-- SPL Transient Designer
-- VCA VU

- These Powered Plug-Ins are currently being ported to UAD-2, and will be released very soon in a software update. If you already own any of these plug-ins on UAD-1, you can still crossgrade your UAD-1 plug-in licenses to UAD-2. Just download the latest version software when it becomes available and update your Authorization File.

L.O.D.E.(tm) (Live Optimizing DSP Engine) the UAD-2's DSP engine automatically balances resources to maximize your plug-in instantiations

LoadLock(tm) reserves maximum DSP for guaranteed Plug-In loading

Redesigned Plug-In Toolbar and Meter & Control Panel application featuring...
- UAD-2/UAD-1 resource metering
- Improved preset management, with easy cut/copy/paste between SE and full versions
- Demo management, and plug-in purchase direct from the plug-in toolbar
- Simplified Registration/Authorization process - no more copying of card ID's or serials
- Help and support tab to get you up and running and to keep you going

Featuring UAi(tm) UA's unique modeling technology that captures the real magic of analog

14-day full function Demo for all plug-ins so you can try before you buy

Powered Plug-Ins(TM) available 24/7 @ uaudio.com

Easy license transfer for existing UAD-1/1e/Xpander users

Great launch crossgrade promotions for all existing UAD-1/1e/Xpander users

Designed and Made in U.S.A.

Minimum System Requirements:
Windows:
Microsoft Windows XP (Home, Professional, or x64 Edition), Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista (x86 or x64)

Macintosh:
Mac OS X 10.4.x "Tiger" or 10.5.x "Leopard", Processor upgrade cards are not officially supported

General:
1 available PCIe (PCI Express) x1/x4/x8 or x16 slot

256 MB RAM (512 MB is strongly recommended)

1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor

CD-ROM drive or internet connection for software installation

125 MB available hard drive space for UAD-2 or UAD-1 installation

250 MB available hard drive space for combined UAD-2 plus UAD-1 installation

Internet connection required for registration and plug-in authorization

Compatible VST or Audio Units plug-in host application software.

Multi-Card (Add More DSP!)
Need more raw DSP horsepower to run more UAD plugs in your mixes or simply want to run all your sessions at higher sample rates? The UAD was designed as a multi-card system allowing up to 4 UAD2 cards and 4 UAD1 cards to run on an OSX Mac/Win XP/Vista computer/expansion chassis system. Your existing plug-in licenses can be used across cards after registering a new card to your my.uaudio.com account and downloading the new plug authorization file.

Easily expand your DSP power with extra cards (up to 4 UAD-1/1e/Xpander, and 4 UAD-2 Cards per system)

L.O.D.E. (Live Optimizing DSP Engine) the UAD-2's DSP engine automatically balances resources to maximize your plug-in instantiations

Plug-In Licenses Valid for up to 4 UAD-2 and 4 UAD-1 cards in a system ( no need to re-purchase)

Use any combination of cards (PCI or PCIe)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 831-440-1176
Web: https://help.uaudio.com/
Manual
UA Product Catalog

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted January 6, 2009 by a customer from me.com

"The best thing I ever did for my DAW"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
If you want professional sounding mixes that you can send to the duping place, and do your homework with reading up on tracking and masstering technique, this card will take you from raw recording to polished radio quality release. You cannot go wrong wit this card, in any way shape or form. You will be glad you purchased it a thousand times over.

Sound
OMG....that is really all I can say about this product. IT was the difference in my having to spend 700 dollars a day in a proper pro studio and staying at home and mixing on my own time and leisure. It has changed the way I track music and is the single most defining reason my mixes at home have neared professional studio quality. I can release tracks, out of my garage, on this thing, and you would not be able to tell the difference, save for my crappy engineering skills.

Features
I only gave it an 8 because it does not save your settings with your DAW setup, as of yet. Furthermore, I cannot get my Novation Nocturn controller to turn the UAD plugs knobs, yet, but that could just be my lack of know how at this point in setting up paramenters, so I might update it after that.

Ease of Use
It depends on the plug you are using and what you are trying to achieve. the LA-2A compressor plug is really easy, while the eq's get more finnicky (again, my lack of engineering skills)

Quality
It's card the goes into… read more a pci-e slot, so really, this is an NA point. The sound quality, is again, OMG! IT is that good.

Value
128 Neve console channels in your daw. All I can say, is OMG. Value far outpaces the money you'd spend on a Neve console.

Manufacturer Support
I have not dealt with them individually, on the phone as of yet, but emailed once with a question, non technical and did not get a response, two weeks ago.

The Wow Factor
I want more of it, really, and I don't work for them and have no affiliation with them. I like the plugs they make and would venture to say, it is easier to use and you get more for your money than I did when I purchased the SSL Duende, which is also a great product.

Musical Background:
windrumscoggin@me.com

Musical Style:
Ambient, Electronica, drone, dreamsynth.... read less
4 of 5 people (80%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Rate and Review this Product
Read more reviews

No longer available at zZounds

In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer